Hyundai Department Store Launches 'Tuna Specialty Corner', First in Retail Industry

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] Hyundai Department Store is launching the first-ever "Tuna Specialty Corner" in the food hall where customers can order by specific tuna cuts in the retail industry.

On the 15th, Hyundai Department Store announced that it will open the tuna specialty corner "Tuna Gallery" in the basement first floor food hall of the Mia branch in partnership with Dongwon Industries, the largest distant-water fishing company in Korea.

The newly introduced Tuna Gallery features frozen showcase displays where tuna is divided into six major cuts: Otoro (fatty belly), Naka-toro (belly flap), Akami (back meat), Harami (belly meat), Saku (loin), and Kama (collar). Previously, the food hall’s seafood section only sold pre-cut packaged products combining various cuts at the sashimi corner.

A tuna expert is stationed at the store to explain the taste and characteristics of each cut, and when customers select their desired cut, the tuna displayed in the showcase is taken out and sliced right in front of them. Since the selected cut is prepared immediately upon order, the freshness is superior.

Special cuts of bluefin tuna are also available at all times. Representative examples include "Naka-toro," considered the highest-grade cut of bluefin tuna, and "Otoro," known for its rich marbling and soft, savory flavor.

Hyundai Department Store’s collaboration with Dongwon Industries to launch the tuna specialty corner is due to the increased demand for premium ingredients as more people eat at home amid the COVID-19 pandemic. From January to June this year, Hyundai Department Store’s fresh food sales increased by 8.3% compared to the same period last year. Among these, tuna (31.7%), abalone (20.3%), and Korean beef (Hanwoo) (11.3%) showed significant growth.

Additionally, Hyundai Department Store considered the rising demand for tuna cuts, as more customers want to select tuna by specific parts just like Hanwoo or Korean pork (Handon). A survey conducted in March among 500 customers who purchased tuna at the food hall showed that the majority wanted to "purchase only specific cuts (43%)" and "hear explanations from experts (37%)."

A Hyundai Department Store official said, "Tuna Gallery is a customer-tailored model that allows customers to choose tuna according to their preferences," adding, "We plan to continue developing new services and stores that meet diverse customer needs in the future."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.